The Surrender Prayer: Where We End and God Begins In The Surrender Prayer, Kristian Lynch argues that to overcome personal struggles, you must surrender them to God.
Lynch, a former attorney and current social worker, notes that many of us find ourselves wanting to control the world around us. In turn, we experience, guilt, pain, and mental suffering because we are unwilling to capitulate that control to a higher power. What to do? The author suggests we try a new path and pray in a way that will “enlist God to join our battle against our own personal demons.” As a result, we will develop greater patience, resistance against temptation, and insight into our natures. “We practice the Surrender Prayer to access God and his unconditional love,” Lynch writes.
In this well-written, inspirational workbook, Lynch provides insightful, practical ways for readers to do just that, describing a three-step process of: 1) building life awareness; 2) developing a philosophy of acceptance; and 3) embracing our struggles knowing God is with us every step of the way. The author provides questions that work as a form of guided meditation and reflective therapy, asking what doubts we might have about God and what we fear losing if we truly lived a sacred life. Bible quotes and short prayers remind readers of God’s unconditional love for creation. While the book is geared toward individuals, Lynch provides a chapter on how to adapt the program for groups.
Lynch is a thoughtful, compassionate writer, and The Surrender Prayer is a standout work. His prose is simple but effective, and the insights and questions he provides inspire and delight. The narrative offers mature spiritual direction, one that asks readers to probe their memories for times they experienced hurt or were responsible for hurting others. These places of brokenness and weakness, Lynch suggests, are where God’s light shines most brightly and powerfully.
Christians, as well as spiritual seekers from all walks of life, will find this valuable book earnest, useful, and encouraging.
Also available as an ebook.
